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Ford expands its crossover lineup with the introduction of the five-passenger 2007 Edge.
DETROIT - Ford Motor Co.'s Way Forward restructuring plan is taking its toll on product planning.
A number of vehicle programs have been changed, delayed or even dropped since Mark Fields, president of the Americas, and his team began tackling the troubled U.S. business last fall.
Ford officials say the shifts are aimed at getting bolder designs and the right products to the market faster. But outside sources are skeptical. Some industry analysts say Ford is still playing follow the leader when it comes to true product innovation and stylish design.
Fields promises that the days of building a vehicle for 10 years or more with just minimal changes are over. For example, the current-generation Ford Ranger pickup has been marketed with little change since the 1993 model year.
By 2008, the average age of Ford's U.S. products will drop from 4.4 years to 3.2 years, the company says. Ford product chief Derrick Kuzak says adding new vehicles will account for the drop, not cutting older ones. On July 20, Ford CEO Bill Ford said Fields and his team "have intensified their efforts, with an emphasis on reducing costs and accelerating product development."
For the 2007-10 model years, Ford plans to roll out a portfolio of vehicles smaller than the Focus. Ford also plans two vehicles to replace its conventional minivans. Both categories give Ford an opportunity to establish styling benchmarks.
But the question is whether those vehicles will arrive soon enough to gain share in those segments.
On the truck side, Ford vows to give up no ground to the swelling competition, especially Toyota's redesigned, full-sized 2007 Tundra pickup. Engineering upgrades to its flagship F series and new powertrains are coming at a faster pace than in the past.
Ford Motor's U.S. vehicle plans for the 2007-10 model years - compiled from suppliers, analysts and company sources - follow. Not all programs have been given final approvals and could change. <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=490 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 10px; PADDING-TOP: 10px">[URL="http://cwimg.us.publicus.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=CW&Date=20060802&Category=FREE&ArtNo=60731029&Ref=V2&Profile=1024&maxw=490"]http://cwimg.us.publicus.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=CW&Date=20060802&Category=FREE&ArtNo=60731029&Ref=V2&Profile=1024&maxw=490[/URL]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
The Ford Fairlane concept is expected to influence the styling of the automakers minivan alternative, arriving for the 2009 model year.
Plans by Model Year
<TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle bgColor=#ffffff>2007</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#ffffff>2008</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#ffffff>2009</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#ffffff>2010</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left bgColor=#cccccc colSpan=4>FORD</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>Edge crossover</TD><TD align=left>Focus reskinned</TD><TD align=left>Fusion freshening</TD><TD align=left>Small sedan</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>debuts</TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>likely</TD><TD align=left>likely debuts</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>Five Hundred</TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>Expedition</TD><TD align=left>freshened</TD><TD align=left>Crown Victoria</TD><TD align=left>Small crossover</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>re-engineered,</TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>freshened</TD><TD align=left>likely debuts</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>restyled</TD><TD align=left>Escape reskinned,</TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>re-engineered</TD><TD align=left>Minivan alternative</TD><TD align=left>Possible Five</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>Explorer Sport</TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>debuts</TD><TD align=left>Hundred restyling</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>Trac redesigned</TD><TD align=left>Freestyle freshened</TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>(or 2011)</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right></TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>Explorer freshened</TD><TD align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>F-250, F-350</TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>Mustang restyled</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>Super Duty pickups</TD><TD align=left>F-150 restyled,</TD><TD align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>redesigned</TD><TD align=left>re-engineered</TD><TD align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD align=right></TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>E-series vans</TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>freshened</TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD align=left bgColor=#cccccc colSpan=4>MERCURY</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>Montego freshened</TD><TD align=left>Milan freshening</TD><TD align=left>Possible Montego</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right></TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>likely</TD><TD align=left>restyling (or 2011)</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>Mariner reskinned,</TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>re-engineered</TD><TD align=left>Grand Marquis</TD><TD align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD align=right></TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>freshened</TD><TD align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle colSpan=4></TD></TR><TR><TD align=left bgColor=#cccccc colSpan=4>LINCOLN</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>MKZ (formerly</TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>MKS sedan debuts</TD><TD align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>Zephyr) freshened</TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD align=right></TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>Minivan alternative</TD><TD align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>MKX crossover</TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>debuts (or 2010)</TD><TD align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>debuts</TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD align=right></TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>Mark LT restyled,</TD><TD align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>Navigator restyled,</TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>re-engineered</TD><TD align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>re-engineered</TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD align=right></TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>MKZ freshening</TD><TD align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD align=right></TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>likely</TD><TD align=right></TD></TR><TR></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
1 <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=490 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 10px; PADDING-TOP: 10px">[URL="http://cwimg.us.publicus.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=CW&Date=20060802&Category=FREE&ArtNo=60731029&Ref=V3&Profile=1024&maxw=490"]http://cwimg.us.publicus.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=CW&Date=20060802&Category=FREE&ArtNo=60731029&Ref=V3&Profile=1024&maxw=490</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>[/URL]
Lincoln's front-drive MKS sedan will be added to the lineup for the 2009 model year. It won't look much different from this concept car, shown at the 2006 Detroit auto show.
Ford expands its crossover lineup with the introduction of the five-passenger 2007 Edge.
DETROIT - Ford Motor Co.'s Way Forward restructuring plan is taking its toll on product planning.
A number of vehicle programs have been changed, delayed or even dropped since Mark Fields, president of the Americas, and his team began tackling the troubled U.S. business last fall.
Ford officials say the shifts are aimed at getting bolder designs and the right products to the market faster. But outside sources are skeptical. Some industry analysts say Ford is still playing follow the leader when it comes to true product innovation and stylish design.
Fields promises that the days of building a vehicle for 10 years or more with just minimal changes are over. For example, the current-generation Ford Ranger pickup has been marketed with little change since the 1993 model year.
By 2008, the average age of Ford's U.S. products will drop from 4.4 years to 3.2 years, the company says. Ford product chief Derrick Kuzak says adding new vehicles will account for the drop, not cutting older ones. On July 20, Ford CEO Bill Ford said Fields and his team "have intensified their efforts, with an emphasis on reducing costs and accelerating product development."
For the 2007-10 model years, Ford plans to roll out a portfolio of vehicles smaller than the Focus. Ford also plans two vehicles to replace its conventional minivans. Both categories give Ford an opportunity to establish styling benchmarks.
But the question is whether those vehicles will arrive soon enough to gain share in those segments.
On the truck side, Ford vows to give up no ground to the swelling competition, especially Toyota's redesigned, full-sized 2007 Tundra pickup. Engineering upgrades to its flagship F series and new powertrains are coming at a faster pace than in the past.
Ford Motor's U.S. vehicle plans for the 2007-10 model years - compiled from suppliers, analysts and company sources - follow. Not all programs have been given final approvals and could change. <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=490 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 10px; PADDING-TOP: 10px">[URL="http://cwimg.us.publicus.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=CW&Date=20060802&Category=FREE&ArtNo=60731029&Ref=V2&Profile=1024&maxw=490"]http://cwimg.us.publicus.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=CW&Date=20060802&Category=FREE&ArtNo=60731029&Ref=V2&Profile=1024&maxw=490[/URL]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
The Ford Fairlane concept is expected to influence the styling of the automakers minivan alternative, arriving for the 2009 model year.
Plans by Model Year
<TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle bgColor=#ffffff>2007</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#ffffff>2008</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#ffffff>2009</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#ffffff>2010</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left bgColor=#cccccc colSpan=4>FORD</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>Edge crossover</TD><TD align=left>Focus reskinned</TD><TD align=left>Fusion freshening</TD><TD align=left>Small sedan</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>debuts</TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>likely</TD><TD align=left>likely debuts</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>Five Hundred</TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>Expedition</TD><TD align=left>freshened</TD><TD align=left>Crown Victoria</TD><TD align=left>Small crossover</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>re-engineered,</TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>freshened</TD><TD align=left>likely debuts</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>restyled</TD><TD align=left>Escape reskinned,</TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>re-engineered</TD><TD align=left>Minivan alternative</TD><TD align=left>Possible Five</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>Explorer Sport</TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>debuts</TD><TD align=left>Hundred restyling</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>Trac redesigned</TD><TD align=left>Freestyle freshened</TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>(or 2011)</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right></TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>Explorer freshened</TD><TD align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>F-250, F-350</TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>Mustang restyled</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>Super Duty pickups</TD><TD align=left>F-150 restyled,</TD><TD align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>redesigned</TD><TD align=left>re-engineered</TD><TD align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD align=right></TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>E-series vans</TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>freshened</TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD align=left bgColor=#cccccc colSpan=4>MERCURY</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>Montego freshened</TD><TD align=left>Milan freshening</TD><TD align=left>Possible Montego</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right></TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>likely</TD><TD align=left>restyling (or 2011)</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>Mariner reskinned,</TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>re-engineered</TD><TD align=left>Grand Marquis</TD><TD align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD align=right></TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>freshened</TD><TD align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle colSpan=4></TD></TR><TR><TD align=left bgColor=#cccccc colSpan=4>LINCOLN</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>MKZ (formerly</TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>MKS sedan debuts</TD><TD align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>Zephyr) freshened</TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD align=right></TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>Minivan alternative</TD><TD align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>MKX crossover</TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>debuts (or 2010)</TD><TD align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>debuts</TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD align=right></TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>Mark LT restyled,</TD><TD align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>Navigator restyled,</TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>re-engineered</TD><TD align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>re-engineered</TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD align=right></TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>MKZ freshening</TD><TD align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD align=right></TD><TD align=right></TD><TD align=left>likely</TD><TD align=right></TD></TR><TR></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
1 <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=490 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 10px; PADDING-TOP: 10px">[URL="http://cwimg.us.publicus.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=CW&Date=20060802&Category=FREE&ArtNo=60731029&Ref=V3&Profile=1024&maxw=490"]http://cwimg.us.publicus.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=CW&Date=20060802&Category=FREE&ArtNo=60731029&Ref=V3&Profile=1024&maxw=490</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>[/URL]
Lincoln's front-drive MKS sedan will be added to the lineup for the 2009 model year. It won't look much different from this concept car, shown at the 2006 Detroit auto show.